Junior High School Students' Perception of Neighborhood Community Centers in Racine, Wisconsin.

Berry-Caban, Cristobal S.; Brue de Lorenzo, Kathryn

A survey of 258 black, Hispanic and white students in grades 7 to 9 was undertaken in Racine, Wisconsin, to determine student perceptions regarding their neighborhood community center and to discover differences in attendance patterns among the three ethnic groups. The subjects responded to a questionnaire which elicited information on frequency of attendance, whether the subject attended alone or with a companion, and the types of activities desired at the center. Survey results indicated that while half of the respondents attend their neighborhood centers, nearly three fourths of the Hispanic and white students do not attend at all. The study suggests that an effective outreach/recruiting program, as well as the addition of some evening and more participatory activities, would attract more students and enhance the integration of the centers. (MJL)